I have a large collection of music, vinyl and cds. I can't play an instrument, but I adore listening to original and innovative material, which is sadly lacking these days.
My interest in music started with radio, radio today is a far cry from what it used to be, and in preparation is a section all about the golden age of wireless where I will share how it used to be and contrast it with now, and links to that site will be here.
Related to this, I used to run a mobile disco, with a couple of friends. For the uninitiated, a mobile disco is records, lights and sound equipment which is temporarily installed for the duration of the event at a place of the clients choosing. I think this is a UK only phenomena.
I also used to have involvement with hospital radio, a closed circuit radio service which can only be heard within the confines of hospital.
Dance music forms a major part of my collection, from the early 70's disco, to the current scene. I'm particularly selective about the current sound, anything vaguely regurgitated is an instant switch off.
Pat Metheny is another artist whose music I really enjoy, which comes under the category of jazz fusion. Here is Kevin Stussman's Pat Metheny Web Server. Pat Metheny is a composer as well as guitarist. The attention to detail and orchestration is something else, and it's a studio sound which I have seen performed live with the same precision.
Other artists are Alan Parson's Project. Alan Parsons, part time songwriter and full time recording engineer at the Abbey Road studios (London), has released a number of albums along themes (concept albums).
Pink Floyd with their haunting, sometimes quite frightening music.
Iron Maiden, heavy metal which is nice to wind down with sometimes at the end of s stressful day!
Sparks Russell and Ron (with the tash) Mael, who's music reflects very adult themes in a sometimes light hearted fashion. Despite trying many styles they have an identifiable sound.
Kraftwerk were one of the few at the start of the electronic music revolution, always experimental, laying the foundations and inspirations for what is heard today.
Sade, smooth vocals and heartfelt lyrics make quite a wonderful listening experience.
Thomas Dolby is another early experimental artist using music to convey messages.
Yellow Magic Orchestra who's first UK hit was inspired by 'Space Invaders' are yet another experimental music style.
Anita Baker, mainly romantic ballads, but with excellent control over a lovely warm voice.
New Musik evolved during the 'punk' era, but producer/writer/player Tony Mansfield made a few political and personal statements through the groups' music.
Nash the Slash as far as I know he was 'someone else', but permanently wrapped in bandages, and refused to use guitars in his, mainly electronic, music.
Love and Money with a polished acoustic style and deep lyrics that I have found very stimulating emotionally.
Klaus Schulze who's music writing is very complex, finding music within his music.
Stevie Wonder... to name a few.
I also like easy listening music such as James Last and Bert Kaempfert, much to the amusement of my friends. It's now becoming fashionable as 'Lounge Music', but I was getting off on the likes of Helmut Zaccharias and Andy Williams. I went to see the Bert Kaempfert Orchestra play in Bolton, wonderful.
On the subject of concerts, it's rare I go to a concert, and not see at least one employee of X Records! No exception was the July 6th Alice Cooper School's Out tour.
I have a moving coil cartridge for the vinyl collection and I often torment my friends asking them to spot the difference between CD and vinyl. However it's fair to say that there are a number of badly mastered vinyl recordings, as indeed there are many bad CD's. The remastered CD releases are basically a rip off to the general public; they should have mastered them properly in the first place.
On the subject of mastering, there are a number of 'remastered' compact disc recordings out. Firstly, why couldn't they have mastered it properly in the first place? Secondly, when DIre Straits released 'Brothers In Arms', they claimed it was just like the master tape. Now it's been 24 bit 'Super Bit Mapped', is this therefore better than the master tape, and in which way? If this is a digital recording when first made, how many bits resolution was it, it would have to be more than 16 obviously, and at least 24 to make any rational use of the SBM system. The disc itself is better sounding that the 16 bit original release, so there's something definitely fishy going on. Money for old rope I say. And furthermore, Sony/CBS so-called remasters are awful, only marginally better than the standard master. For one of the co-inventors of the system, their releases leave more than a little to be desired. The Polygram release of Jean Michel Jarre's 'Oxygene' is as good as the Sony remastered re-release - don't waste your money. There is only marginally better stereo definition.
I currently despair at the state of the British 'pop' music scene. Governmental policy on radio stations has made them all sound exactly the same, with no window for any new music or bands, just playing 'safe' oldies. I buy far less music these days, basically because it's crap. Established artists are getting away with it, and the new bands with something to offer never get a look in. I say more about radio but don't expect anything less cynical!
The final stage in my stereo system is an Arcam Delta 290 Amplifier, MOSFET but nice sounding, and for total tonal reproduction, a pair of Beyer 770 PRO headphones. For decent stereo gear at the right price, go to Richer Sounds
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